To renew your CHW instructor certification in Texas, you must submit the following to DSHS:

1. Proof of Texas residency (e.g., ID card, driver’s license, lease agreement, or utility bill, mortgage statement, voter registration card, or insurance card).
2. A renewal application every 2 years.
3. Certificates of completion for at least 20 hours of continuing education (CEUs) every two years. 
4. Recent color photo that meets photo requirements. 

CHW Instructor Renewal Application

Online application (available only in English at this time) or downloadable renewal application in English or Spanish.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Your CHW Instructor certificate renewal requires continuing education units. You must renew your CHW Instructor certification every two years. A total of 20 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) is required for the CHW Instructor certification renewal. 

At least 10 hours of continuing education must be completed through participation in a DSHS-approved Instructor training program. These are called DSHS-certified Instructor continuing education hours (CEU) or DSHS-certified Instructor CEUs.

 There are four types of CEUs.  

• DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW instructors. The CHW program approves these CEUs.
• CEUs completed for another Texas license or certification in another health profession. These must be related to the CHW core competencies. 
• CEUs are completed through the instruction of a DSHS-approved training course delivered to promotores, CHs, or instructors in a DSHS–certified training program based on one hour of credit given for two clock hours. The maximum allowed is up to 5 DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors, which equals 10 hours of instruction in a DSHS–certified training program. (1 CEU = 2 clock hours of instruction.
•  Non-certified CEUs. CEUs from training programs and instructors that we did not certify. These must be related to one or more of the core competencies.

You can combine the CEUs in a few different ways.  

Option 1:

• All CEUs completed are DSHS certified for CHW Instructors.

At least 10 hours of DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors are mandatory. You can combine either as Option 2 or Option 3 below.

Option 2:

• 5 DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors
• Up to 5 hours of continuing education you did to renew a Texas license or certification in another health profession other than CHW certification in Texas
• The remaining 10 CEUs, also referred to as non-DSHS-certified continuing education, may come from other training that relates to one or more of the CHW core competencies, including training programs and instructors not certified by DSHS. You may combine non-certified and DSHS-certified CEUs to equal 10 CEUs.

Option 3:

• 5 DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors
• Up to 5 hours of instruction of a DSHS-approved training course delivered to promotores, CHWs, or instructors in a DSHS–certified training program based on one hour of credit given for two clock hours taught. The maximum allowed is up to 5 DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors, which equals 10 hours of instruction (1 CEU = 2 clock hours of instruction).
•  The remaining 10 CEUs, also referred to as non-DSHS-certified continuing education, may come from other training that relates to one or more of the CHW core competencies, including training programs and instructors not certified by DSHS. You may combine non-certified and DSHS-certified CEU’s to equal 10 CEUs.

Option 4:

• Ten (10) DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW instructors
• The remaining 10 CEUs, also referred to as non-DSHS-certified continuing education, may come from other training that relates to one or more of the CHW core competencies, including training programs and instructors not certified by DSHS. You may combine non-certified and DSHS-certified CEU’s to equal 10 CEUs.

How do I find my CHW Instructor certification number and/or expiration date?

1. Go to the DSHS Online Licensing Services website.
2. Do not create an account.
3. Go to "license search" found in the Check License Status or Search for a License (CHW certification number) section.
4. Perform a search.

Do you need extra time to complete your CEUs?

You may request an extension of up to 90 days in writing before your certification expires. Only one extension is allowed per two-year certification period.  Your written request must be mailed or emailed (chw@dshs.texas.gov), including your name and CHW Instructor certification number.

Has your certification expired for less than a year?

You may renew your expired CHW Instructor certification by completing the required continuing education units (CEUs), submitting the CHW Instructor renewal application, and a photo if your certificate has expired for one year or less. Your certification will expire two years from the date the previous certification expired.

Has your certification expired for more than a year?

You may re-apply if your certification has been expired for more than one year. You must submit an initial application for CHW Instructor certification for approval if you wish to regain your certification.

Contact the DSHS-certified CHW Training Programs for upcoming continuing education courses for CHW instructors in your area. You can also visit the Education Calendar or the online continuing education courses for CHW Instructors.